Heavy Metal Magazine Fan Page

Heavy Metal Magazine Sales History

Here is the sales history for Heavy Metal magazine. Although these numbers might look a little deceiving, because it is only the total for issues sold through subscriptions or stores when they initially come out and does not include online sales, or back issues sold, etc. Also 2007 to 2010 includes Special / Theme issues.

The pattern of dropping sales in recent years is mainly the effect of a changing world. In recent years, the entertainment business is stretching more then it ever has. Movies, games, Internet, television, music, radio, books, comics, and magazines are all fighting for attention. Piracy is also a major problem with most forms of entertainment. Along with this, some stores like music stores and comic shops are struggling to stay open. So this also affects the initial sales of Heavy Metal because it's getting harder to find in the stores. However, online stores are growing, and so is online Heavy Metal sales, but that doesn't count towards the initial sales total.

In each January issue (or December for older issues) there is a "Statement Of Ownership" printed. The number to look for is the "Total Paid Distribution" or "Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation" or "Total Paid Circulation" or something to that effect. This is the average number of initial sales for the year per issue.

The pre-1994 dates listed may not be exact, and may be an issue or two off, as the information in the Statement Of Ownership doesn't define exactly what the "preceding 12 months" are.

Notes Of Interest

The magazine is born

Ted White is hired as Editor
Ted White is fired as Editor
Heavy Metal: The Movie is released in theaters

Magazine goes quarterly and slightly changes style
The original Métal Hurlant is discontinued

Magazine goes bi-monthly
Magazine sold to Tim Matheson and Dan Grodnik
Magazine sold to J2 Communications
Magazine sold to Kevin Eastman

Heavy Metal: The Movie is released on video

Heavy Metal 2000 movie and F.A.K.K.² game are released
Heavy Metal: Geomatrix game is released

Magazine stops Special / Theme issues

Issue Dates

April 1977 to August 1977
September 1977 to August 1978
September 1978 to August 1979
September 1979 to August 1980
September 1980 to August 1981
September 1981 to August 1982
September 1982 to August 1983
September 1983 to August 1984
September 1984 to August 1985
September 1985 to Summer 1986
Fall 1986 to Summer 1987
Fall 1987 to Summer 1988
Fall 1988 to July 1989
September 1989 to July 1990
September 1990 to July 1991
September 1991 to July 1992
September 1992 to July 1993
September 1993 to July 1994
September 1994 to July 1995
September 1995 to July 1996
September 1996 to July 1997
July 1997 to May 1998
September 1998 to July 1999
July 1999 to May 2000
July 2000 to May 2001
May 2001 to March 2002
May 2002 to March 2003
May 2003 to March 2004
March 2004 to January 2005
March 2005 to January 2006
March 2006 to January 2007
May 2007 to Spring 2008
September 2007 to Summer 2008
September 2008 to Summer 2009
September 2009 to Summer 2010
July 2011 to May 2012